Every year Pascha bestows a new experience, a new memory, a new smile. This year was no different. This year for many reasons Pascha was a bit bitter sweet for me, but I saw blessed with more sweet than bitter. On Holy Thursday I was brought to tears when the choir sang the "Wise Thief" or Razboinik as the Russians call it. Instead for the traditional version by either the men or the full choir, the hymn was sung by four children, ages ten and younger. Their sweet young voices brought tears to your eyes and goose bumps to your body. The singing of the hymn by the men in the altar, just before the procession begins, is awesome, especially when done by strong voices. At the Resurection service, at first I thought I was seeing things but our priest wore a different vestment every time he came out to proclaim Christ is risen! He went from white to red, blue, green and then back to white. It was kind of neat! English was inserted into the service even more than usual. (It's a most Russian Parish) When it came time to sing "Plotiou usnuv" (sorry I dont know the english) a hymn usually sung by the women of the choir, here it was sung by men, the tenor has an especially wonderfully voice. Lots of goose bumps!! The hymn was especially beautiful. In most of the parishes the procession was done with men of the parish holding the banners and icons and so on...here the icons were handed to all the children...all ages...and they lead the procession around the church. It made me very happy to see young children included so actively in the life of the church. There were many other moments...such as the reading of the Gospel in six languages... but these seem to have stood out the most.
It would be great to hear everyone's special moments...
Christ is Risen!
